?? Common Go Mistake: Overusing init() — Keep It Simple! ??

Ever seen a Go package where init() is doing heavy lifting—like reading configs, connecting to databases, or launching goroutines? This might seem convenient, but it’s a trap!

The Problem with Complex init()

• Hard to Debug: Errors in init() often panic and crash the app before main() even runs.
• No Error Handling: init() can’t return errors, forcing you to handle failures with panic or global variables (??).
• Hidden Dependencies: Initialization logic becomes implicit, making code flow unpredictable.
• Testability Nightmare: Mocking or isolating components during tests is nearly impossible.

Why Avoid init() for Complex Logic?

Best Practices ?

1. Explicit > Implicit: Move complex setups to explicit functions called in main().
2. Return Errors: Use functions like SetupDB() error to handle errors gracefully.
3. Control Flow: Keep initialization visible and sequential in main().
4. Testable Code: Separate setup logic for easier mocking and testing.

When Should You Use init()?

Simple, side-effect-free tasks like:

• Initializing static configuration.
• Registering package-level dependencies (e.g., SQL drivers).

Key Takeaway

init() is a powerful tool, but with great power comes great responsibility. Keep it simple, keep it visible, and save your team (and future you) from debugging hell!

#Golang #Programming #SoftwareDevelopment #BestPractices #CodeQuality